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Monday, January 7, 2013

One of the things I enjoy incorporating into my scrapbook pages is flowers, especially handcrafted flowers. When I don't have just the right color or size flower in my stash, I can create what I need. I created all of the flowers in my ScrapThat! Carolina Snow page including this Sweet Open Rose.

Sweet Open Rose Tutorial

Please note - while this looks like a lot of steps, I separated out each possible step for followers that may be less experienced at creating flowers. These little gems are quite easy and go quickly once you have made a few.

Step 1. Use die cut machine to cut 1 each of the three smallest Rose Creations petals. For this project I used a scrap of grey from the center of the Powder Mountain page from the ScrapThat! January Kit.

I really use this set of Spellbinders flower dies by Donna Salazar a lot. If you are looking for a versatile set of flower dies to add to your tools, I highly recommend this set along with Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms also by Donna, but that is another tutorial.

Step 2. Ink petals. For this project I first applied Brushed Corduroy, then I applied to just the edges the darker Frayed Burlap. You can use any color of ink or skip the inking altogether. If you don't have the Ranger applicator any kind of foam applicator will work.

Step 3. Place the petals on a foam mat and using a stylus or other rounded object use a circular motion to form a cup in each petal. Any kind of foam mat will work - even the foam packaging that brads are tucked into. If you don't have a medium size stylus, try the back end of a large paint brush, or capped pen - anything that is rounded and smooth.

Step 4. Shape the petals by grasping the side of each petal and rolling back with round nose pliers. If you don't have round nose pliers (in the jewelry department), you can roll the petals around something like the end of a paint brush or even a toothpick. The pliers do make quicker work of this step, however.

Step 5. Glue the petals together with the largest on the bottom working up to the smallest. Be sure that the petals you are laying on top are arranged so that they fit between the petal of the layer below for a more natural appearance. Also be sure that your holes line up so you will have a spot to add your stamens.

Step 6. Place your blossom on your foam mat and press into the center.

7. Use the round nose pliers to curl down the wide outer edge of each petal - just a little. Again, another rod like a paintbrush or toothpick will work.

8. Ink the Stamens. This step is optional depending on the look you want. I used the ink left on my applicator to tone down the bright white. These are the stamens included in the January ScrapThat! Kit. I left one white in the photo to show the difference.

9. Pull the cords of the stamens through the center hole. Pull them to one side on the back and glue down, trimming away the extra length of cording.

10. Dry Brush Gesso onto the petals for a snowy look. To dry brush, put a drop of gesso onto a craft mat (paint pallet, foil, plastic lid . . .) Dip your brush into the gesso and brush most of it off. Then start applying the gesso to the flower for a light snowy appearance. If you don't have gesso, you can use white paint, or even the white ink included in the ScrapThat! January kit. While the ink will have a different look, it will still soften the brown.

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and will give it a try. There are a lot of variations you can make once you have mastered the basics of this technique by changing colors, petal sizes and even adding additional petals. You can also change the center with a pearl, gem, brad, flower bud, microbeads, - the sky is the limit.

Ohhh Tracey...I'm breathless. This is just gorgeous. The punchwork and all the details are just amazing. I loved the flower tutorial. I never thought of dry brushing gesso onto a flower!! That one is going right into my idea box!

Oh Tracey, this page is so spectacular, gorgeous and fantastically embellished! adore the blend of cool blues and elegant, aged feeling browns, as well as the delightfully awesome blend of border punches applied to one piece of paper. Seriously awesome work, dear lady!

I really love all the work youput into this layout Tracey! Just Gorgeous.. I gotta ask.. that white... "snowflake" at the lower right corner is that paper quilling and did you make it?? I've been wanted to get starting in that and my sweet son bought a whole bunch of quilling things for me for christmas just don't know where to start now LOL I love how that 'snowflake' looks on the page. If its not quilling it would be great to learn out to make that too. Great post on your roses.. Thanks for sharing.Sherry

Tracey Thank you so much for your visit and sweet compliment on my wedding layout. And thank you so much for the link. You did an awesome job. I wasn't sure if that snowflake was boughten you did excellent work. Thank you for the tip on the glue.. as that is one thing he didn't get me with my christmas present. I have been kinda searching to figure out how to clue things.. and knowing I'd need something very fine tipped. I am sure there will be some frustrations in the beginning, but I hope it easier than it looks LOL again I appreciate your kind comment.Sherry

FTC COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

I am blessed to work in an industry I love. In the spirit of full disclosure, I am currently working as a freelance designer in some capacity for the following companies: Scraps of Elegance and ScrapBerry's. While I am compensated by these companies in product, I maintain the freedom as an independent designer to say what I truly think of their products. I will never recommend something that I don't personally use and enjoy.